‘Police forces are launching an urgent review of volunteer cadet programmes amid fears they are being used by paedophiles to gain access to children. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating several police officers who worked with cadet groups – which are for young people aged between 13 and 18 – in London and Manchester, and called for safeguarding checks across England and Wales.’

‘What are the rules governing retrospective approval of gifts and payments for voluntary care? Simon Edwards, barrister at 39 Essex Chambers, discusses Re HH (attorney’s application for retrospective approval) [2018] EWCOP 13 which demonstrates the necessity for someone who has power of attorney to retain proper records of care payments.’

‘Ex-offenders trying to turn their lives around face a bleak future, a probation inspector has warned, as ambitious government plans to boost the role of charities and volunteers in the probation service have failed to materialise.’

‘Evidence from so-called paedophile hunter groups was used to charge suspects at least 150 times last year, a BBC investigation has found. A Freedom of Information request, sent to every police force in England and Wales, showed a seven-fold increase in the use of such evidence from 2015.’

‘A Defendant did not owe a duty of care to a Claimant who, while helping him clear the grounds of the property, had of his own accord, attempted to unblock a wood chipper while the engine was on and lost three of his fingers.’

‘Clive Anderson and guests ask why Britain, unlike many other countries in the world, has no general law which requires people to behave like good Samaritans, punishing those who fail to help others in trouble.’

“Thousands of parents are still being forced to undergo ‘suspicious and hostile’ criminal record checks to volunteer in schools despite Coalition reforms designed to introduce common sense into the child protection system, according to research.”